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## Underdog Monday: Three Favorites Stumble on Day 5 of World Cup 2026
Day 5 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup belonged to the underdogs. In a stunning turn of events, three tournament favorites — Spain, Belgium, and Uruguay — all failed to secure wins in their opening group-stage matches. Here’s everything you need to know from Monday, June 15.
### Day 5 Match Results
| Match | Group | Venue | Result |
|——-|——-|——-|——–|
| Spain vs. Cape Verde | Group H | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | 0-0 |
| Belgium vs. Egypt | Group G | Lumen Field, Seattle | 1-1 |
| Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay | Group H | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens | 1-1 |
| Iran vs. New Zealand | Group G | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood | *Late match* |
### Key Highlights
**🇨🇻 Cape Verde Makes History — Spain 0-0 Cape Verde**
World Cup debutants Cape Verde pulled off the shock of the tournament so far, holding 2010 champions Spain to a scoreless draw in Atlanta. The Blue Sharks defended brilliantly, absorbing constant Spanish pressure to claim their first-ever World Cup point. Spain dominated possession but failed to break down a disciplined Cape Verdean backline.
**🇪🇬 Egypt Battles Back — Belgium 1-1 Egypt**
In Seattle, Egypt took the game to Belgium and earned a well-deserved 1-1 draw. The Pharaohs matched Belgium’s technical quality and showed tremendous fight to deny Kevin De Bruyne and company a winning start. Both sides had chances but settled for a point apiece, leaving Group G wide open.
**🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Nearly Stuns Uruguay — Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay**
At Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, Saudi Arabia led 1-0 through Abdulelah Al-Amri’s 41st-minute strike — a poacher’s finish after a rebound from a corner kick. Uruguay dominated the second half with 67% possession and 28 total shots, but goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais was sensational. The equalizer finally came in the 80th minute when Maxi Araújo pounced on a rebound to make it 1-1. Uruguay’s expected goals (1.58) told the story of their frustration, while Saudi Arabia celebrated a famous point.
**🇮🇷 Iran vs. New Zealand (Late Match)**
The day’s final match kicked off at 9 PM ET from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, with New Zealand taking an early 1-0 lead through Elijah Just in the 7th minute. Iran’s Mehdi Taremi hit the post later in a dramatic first half.
### Group Standings After Day 5
**Group G:** Belgium (1 pt), Egypt (1 pt), New Zealand/Iran (pending)
**Group H:** Cape Verde (1 pt), Saudi Arabia (1 pt), Uruguay (1 pt), Spain (1 pt)
### Looking Ahead — Tuesday June 16
Day 6 brings more group-stage action. While the complete schedule is still emerging, the tournament continues to deliver surprises. The expanded 48-team format has already proven that no match is a guaranteed win.
### FAQ
**Q: How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?**
A: The 2026 tournament features 48 teams, expanded from 32, playing 104 matches across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
**Q: Where are the World Cup 2026 matches being played?**
A: Matches are hosted across 16 venues in three countries — the United States, Canada, and Mexico. SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles will host the final on July 19.
**Q: When do the USA play next?**
A: The USMNT opened with a 4-1 win over Paraguay on June 12. Check the full schedule for their next Group C match.
**Q: What’s the knockout stage format?**
A: The top two teams from each of the 12 groups advance, along with the eight best third-placed teams, into a Round of 32.